Missouri State Mammal: Missouri Mule

Nature, State Animals 1 Minute

On May 31, 1995, Governor Mel Carnahan signed a bill designating the Missouri Mule as the official state animal. The mule is a hybrid animal, the offspring of a mare (female horse) and a jack (male donkey). The mule was introduced to the state in the 1820s and quickly became popular with farmers and settlers because of its strength and hardy nature. It was an appropriate choice for state animal as it reflects Missouri’s history as a large rural community, and as the “gateway to the West” the state was frequently the location where immigrants bought and filled the wagons – often pulled by mules – that would take them westward.

The high demand for the hardy animal prompted Missouri breeders to develop a larger draft mule. For decades, Missouri was the nation’s premier mule producer. At one time forty-five percent of Missouri farmers were involved in the use or breeding of mules. The average farmer’s income at the turn of the century was around $700 a year. A pair of mule foals could be sold for $500 at this time so not only were they strong workers, but breeding mules was a lucrative side business for many farmers. Missourians marketed the mule to the Cotton Belt and to the lead, coal and logging industries. In addition, the Missouri mule played a critical role during both World Wars in moving troops and supplies. Eventually new technology diminished the mule’s importance and by 1940 the tractor had largely replaced the mule on the family farm.

The prestigious term, Missouri Mule, was said to have been coined at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis when locally bred animals swept the competition in the six-mule wagon team. More than 1,000 mules were exhibited at the 1904 Fair from numerous states.

Associated with strength, endurance and honesty, the Missouri Mule is a symbol of the rich agricultural beginnings of the Show-me State. Today they are primarily used for recreation, although some are still used to work farms and forests.

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Published by pat frederick

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147 thoughts on “Missouri State Mammal: Missouri Mule”

  1. Clarion

    January 20, 2025 3:38 pm

    Matt Strickland

    @MattForVA

    A few weeks ago @RealTomHoman
    called me and told me about some very credible threats to him & his family’s lives.

    The Biden admin refused to provide the incoming Boarder Czar with protection.

    In my opinion, the Deep State wanted him dead.

    So, for the past few weeks my boys & I have been with Tom every day ensuring he’s safe.

    @GlennYoungkin
    and the VA State Police stepped up as well providing 24/7 static security at Tom’s home.

    Tom is fearless. Even with those threats to his life, we went to the border and every corner of America.

    Today Tom gets the dedicated federal protection detail that he deserves.

    I consider Tom a brother, and it was an honor to serve him.

    I can tell you with all honesty that he’s unlike any other top government official. He doesn’t care about accolades, praise, or attending dog & pony events.

    All he’s talked about the past few weeks is today. The day he gets to go to work.

    This man is about to bring the wrath of the American People to those who purposefully opened our borders. I can’t wait.

    I can tell you with conviction that we’re in good hands.

    Today Tom will close the borders, begin mass deportations, and most importantly, find the almost half million children that have gone missing from the border.

    America is back folks. Let’s not ever lose her again.

    https://x.com/MattForVA/status/1881348962273087518

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Just The News: “FBI acting Director Paul Abbate announced his retirement on Monday, just one day after taking leadership of the bureau from now-former Director Christopher Wray.

    Wray stepped down on Sunday and Abbate had been expected to serve in the role until Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the job, received Senate confirmation. He had long served in the post of deputy director and was a veteran of the agency. But Abbate abruptly announced his own retirement after one day at the top of the bureau in an email which did not appear to include an explanation.

    “When the Director asked me to stay on past my mandatory date for a brief time, I did so to help ensure continuity and the best transition for the FBI. Now, with new leadership inbound, after nearly four years in the deputy role, I am departing the FBI today,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “As you move forward, continue to stay true to our core values, be there for our partners, and take care of those who serve alongside you. Thank you for your service.”

    The bureau’s career officials have come under considerable scrutiny from Trump’s supporters over widespread accusations of political bias within the agency.

    Brian Driscoll will lead the agency until the Senate confirms a permanent replacement, CBS News reported.”

    Liked by 1 person

  3. EXCERPT: “The left isn’t wasting any time challenging the new Trump administration. While President Trump was signing the first executive orders taking control of the executive branch of the United States, the first lawsuits were filed in a federal court in Washington, this time challenging the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE.)

    Within minutes of Trump taking the oath of office, at least three lawsuits were filed in federal court in Washington, seeking to shut down Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” until it complies with transparency rules related to governmental advisory entities.

    The lawsuits allege that the project Trump announced to target government waste violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act by giving private individuals roles in the government decision-making process without the public access the law requires.

    This was inevitable. Winning the election put Donald Trump back in the White House, but it won’t stop the left from trying to throw every stumbling block in his way that they can manage. And, while the president is entitled to his advisors, the assertion seems to be that he is “advancing private interests” by eliminating government waste, which seems like something of a stretch.

    One of the suits, filed by Public Citizen, the State Democracy Defenders Fund and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, contends DOGE has breached FACA, which the lawsuit says is intended to prevent such efforts from “turning into vehicles for advancing private interests in the federal decision-making process.”

    The other cases were brought by National Security Counselors and Democracy Forward and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

    A fourth lawsuit filed Monday by the Center for Biological Diversity seeks all records from the Office of Management and Budget relating to DOGE.

    President Trump has, of course, not commented on this first round of legal challenges, but I think we can forgive him for that; he has bigger things on his mind at the moment than petty, annoying nuisance lawsuits. And, we must note that even if a pliant judge agrees with the plaintiffs and orders the DOGE to cease and desist, that doesn’t mean that the efforts of the Trump administration to identify and eliminate government waste have to end….”

    https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/01/20/it-begins-first-lawsuits-filed-against-trump-agenda-n2184579

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Oh, my! It must be going to get really cold tonight – it’s already -3! Once the clouds moved in, it dropped fast! Shouldn’t be any more snow, tho.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Aubergine

    Aubergine(@aubergine)

    Online

    Wolf

    January 20, 2025 17:23

    Holy shit is right!

    Fauci’s pardon is not going to help him! This is going to be an international tribunal!

    https://x.com/WarClandestine/status/1881376672290935181

    @WarClandestine

    Holy shit… Fauci’s pardon ALSO begins on January 1st, 2014, just like Hunter. Why? Because this is when the Obama CIA/State Dept took over Ukraine, and began gain of function research on bat coronaviruses in Ukraine, which Fauci spearheaded. ITS ABOUT BIOWEAPON PRODUCTION!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Observer SC

    January 20, 2025 5:24 pm

    I hope this can all be reversed:

    https://freebeacon.com/energy/energy-secretary-jennifer-granholm-spends-final-days-in-office-sending-billions-to-home-state/

    FTA: “The Department of Energy, in one of its final actions under President Joe Biden, earmarked billions of dollars in green energy loans to utility companies based in Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s home state of Michigan—defying the agency’s inspector general, who called on the Biden administration to suspend the loan program amid conflict-of-interest concerns.

    Some of Granholm’s largest campaign benefactors during her Michigan gubernatorial campaign were among the companies receiving the hefty last-minute loans.

    The Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced Thursday that it awarded a staggering $22.9 billion in loan guarantees for utility companies to develop green energy projects across 12 states. More than $14 billion of that total was awarded to DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, the two companies with ties to Granholm, solely for projects in Michigan.
    In addition, on Friday afternoon, the office announced a $1.3 billion loan for Michigan Potash Company to help fund a sustainable fertilizer plant in Osceola County, Michigan.”

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

    Like

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